Bottle filling machine and valve therefor



Sept. 25, 1 956 E. E. SCHNEHAIN 2,

" BOTTLE FILLING MACHINE AND VALVE THEREFOR Filed April 28, 1954 2Sheets-Sheet} T INVENTOR.

I EARL E SCH/VEHAIN mmxmrc BY q .529 Aizfys.

Sept. 25, 1956 E. E. SCHNEHAIN 2,764,333

BOTTLE FILLING MACHINE AND VALVE THEREFOR Filed April 28, 1954 2Sheets-Sheet; 2

."lllllll v 34 1) 42 37 22 H l H INVENTOR. EARL E. SCHNEHA/N UnitedStates Patent BOTTLE FILLING MACHINE THEREFOR Earl E. Schnehain, DeerPark, Ohio, assignor to The Iialistic Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, acorporation of Application April 28, 1954, Serial No."426,113

8 Claims. (Cl. 226-128) This invention relates to a-machine for fillingbottles. More particularly, this invention relates to a valve for amachine of this type.

Many liquids used in the waving of hair and for other purposes are socorrosive innature that they must be handled without touching any metal.

An object of this invention is to provide a bottlefilling machine whichhas no metal parts which come in contact with the liquid with whichbottles are filled.

A further object of this invention is to provide a valve for a machineof this type having an electrically controlled valve member which has nometal parts exposed to the liquid passing through the valve.

A further object of this invention is to provide a solenoid operatedvalve for a bottle-filling machine in which there are no exposed metalparts.

A further object of this invention is to provide a solenoid operatedvalve having a valve member which turns as liquid passes through thevalve.

A further object of this invention is to provide a syphon operatedbottle-filling machine having a solenoid operated valve arranged topermit flow of liquid to a bottle when the bottle is at an elevatedfilling position and for halting flow of liquid when the filled bottleis lowered to remove it from the bottle-filling machine.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will in partbe apparent and will in part be obvious to those having ordinary skillin the art to which this invention pertains, from the following detaileddescription, and the drawings, in which:

Figure l is a view partly in side elevation and partly in'se'ction,showing a bottle-filling machine constructed in accordance with anembodiment of this invention with bottles shown in filling position,electrical connections of the machine being illustrated schematically;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of the machineillustrated in Fig. 1 with the bottles shown in lowered position;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in sideelevation and partly in vertical section,showing one of the Valves of the machine;

Fig. 4 is an exploded view showing the valve;

Fig. 5 is an exploded view showing a valve plug which is a part of thevalve illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the plug looking in the direction of lineVl-VI in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along a line VII-VII in Fig. 4.

In the following detailed description and the drawings, like referencecharacters indicate like parts.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the bottle-filling machine includes atank 10 into which liquid is fed from an inlet line 12 through a valve13. Operation of the valve 13 is controlled by a float 14. As float 14rises, a plunger 16 attached to the float engages a Switch button 17 toactuate a switch 18. When the push button 17 of switch 18 is raised, thevalve 13 closes to shut ed the flow of liquid to the tank 10. As liquidflows from the tank 10, the float 14 falls to permit release 'of thebutton 17. When the button 17 is released, liquid again flows throughthe valve 13 to restore the level of liquid in the tank 10. The switch18 is arranged to maintain as nearly constant a liquid level 19 aspossible in the tank 10.

Liquid flows from the tank10 through syphon tubes 21 to filler valves 22(Fig. 2). Each of the filler valves 22 is provided with a switch 23(Fig. l) and a switch operating lever 24. The free end of the switchoperating lever 2-4 is disposed close to the filler valve dischargespout 26 of the valve associated therewith so that, when a bottle 27 israised with the spout 26 projecting into the neck of the bottle, themouth of the bottle engages the switch operating lever 24 whereby button28 is actuated to close the switch. Closing of the switch'23 supplieselectrical current to a solenoid coil 31 which actuates the valve 22 toopen position.

Details of construction of the valve 22 are shown in Figs. 3 to 7inclusive. The construction of only one of the valves will be describedin detail as the valves are similar in construction and operation. Asshown in Figs. 3 and 4, the valve 22 includes an upright tubular bodymember 33 having a vertically disposed cylindrical chamber 34. The lowerend of the chamber 34 is provided with a frusto-conic valve seat 36 andthe outlet for the valve chamber is below seat'36. A valve member 37 ismounted in the chamber 34 and can rise and fall inside the chamber. Whenthe valve member 37 is in the lowered position shown in Fig. 3, a conicface 380i the member 37 engages the valve seat 36 to close the valve.

As shown in Figs. 5-7 inclusive, the valve member 37 consists of ahollow, generally cylindrical main portion 41, a metal plug 42, and 'acap pertion 43. The cylindrical main portion '41 is provided with aninterior chamber 44 in which the metal plug 42 is received. The metalplug 42 is formed of iron or other suitable magnetic metal Which isresponsive to a magnetic field set up by the solenoid winding 31. Theplug 42 is held in place inside the chamber 44 by the cap portion 43.The plug 42 is completely enclosed inside the valve member 37 so thatnone of the liquid flowing through the valve touches the metal plug 42.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the cap portion 43 is provided with a seriesof outwardly projecting lugs 46, and the lower end of the main portionof the valve member is provided with similar lugs 47. The lugs 46 and 47serve to space the valve member 37 from the walls of the chamber 34 ofthe valve. In addition, as shown, the lugs 46 and 47 are inclined to theaxis of the member 37 and form vanes projecting outwardly therefrom toimpart a spinning motion to the member 37 when the valve is open andliquid flows through the valve so that valve face and valve seat wearevenly and are kept concentric to prevent leaking of the valve.

The open end of the chamber 34 of the valve is closed by a hollow capmember 49 which is threaded to the body member 33. The cap member isprovided with an integral tubular portion 50 to which syphon tube 21 isattached, as shown in Fig. l. A washer 50 forms a seal between the capmember and the body member of the valve. 7

The solenoid 31 is mounted on the body member 33 as shown in Fig. 3 andis held in place thereon between a collar 51, which is integral withbody member 33, and a collar 52 threaded on the body member. Appropriatewashers 53 and 54 are disposed on the lower and upper sides of thesolenoid, and are engaged by the collars.

All the parts of the valve which come in contact with the liquid whichflows through the valve are formed of appropriate material which isnon-magnetic and which is not corroded by the liquid flowing through thevalve. These parts include the syphon tube 21 (see Fig. 1), the cap 49(see Fig. 4), the cap washer 50', the exposed portions of the rotatingvalve member 37, and the body portion 33 of the valve. All these partsare formed of appropriate non-magnetic and non-corroding material. Forexample, in a machine for use in filling bottles with hair wavingsolution, the washer 50 may be formed of neoprene while the other partsmay all be formed of a math acrylate plastic such as that commonly knownas Lucite or other suitable non-magnetic and non-corroding material. Theplug 42 may be formed of iron or other appropriate metal which ismagnetizable so that it is re sponsive to the magnetic field of thesolenoid. The plug 42 is completely enclosed and does not come incontact with liquid flowing through the valve.

When the machine is in use, bottles 27 are mounted on an appropriatechain conveyor 55 and are advanced on the chain conveyor until thebottles reach a stop member 56 (see Fig. 2). The bottles advance to thestop member 56 between guide plates 57 and 58. A if-shaped yoke 59having bottle-engaging arms 61 and 62, embraces the chain conveyor 55and the guide plates 57 and 58, respectively. When the bottles arestopped in the position shown in Fig. 2, the yoke 59 is raised by meansof a treadle 63 to raise the bottles with the filler spouts 26projecting into the necks of the bottles. When the bottles are raised tothe position shown in Fig. 1, the mouth of each of the bottles engagesone of the switch operating levers 24 (only one of which is shown) toactuate switch 23 and cause the one of the solenoid coils 31 associatedtherewith to be energized.

When the solenoid coils are energized, the valve members of the valvesare raised to permit liquid to be syphoned from the tank It] to thebottles 27. The bottles are filled until the level in the bottles is thesame as the level in the tank and the syphon head is zero. Then, thetreadle 63 is released to lower the bottles, whereupon the solenoidactuating switches are released to de-energize the solenoids and permitthe valve members to descend to stop the syphoning of liquid. As thebottles are lowered, they can be visually inspected, and, if anyadditional liquid is needed in one of the bottles, the appropriateswitch 23 may be actuated to permit flow of such additional liquid asmay be required. When the bottles are lowered, stop member 55 can beswung back to the position 56a shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 1 topermit the chain conveyor to advance the bottles from the fillingposition. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the lower end of the spout 26 ofeach of the valves is constricted as indicated at 67 to hold a column ofliquid in the spout 24') when the valve is closed for starting thesyphon action when the valve is opened again.

When each of the valves is open, the valve member thereof spins freelyinside the valve to permit a smooth flow of liquid through the valve.When the solenoid is de-energized, the valve member falls to theposition shown in Fig. 3 in which the valve is closed.

The bottle-filling machine and the valve therefor illustrated herein aresubject to structural modification without departing from the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby letters patent is:

1. A solenoid operated valve for controlling the flow of corrosiveliquids, such as hair waving solutions, and having parts exposed to theliquid which are resistant to the corrosion thereof, said valvecomprising a body of nonmagnetic and corrosion resistant material havinga vertically disposed cylindrical valve chamber therein provided withinlet and outlet ports therefor, the outlet port being at the bottom ofthe valve chamber, a cylindrical valve member in the body for openingand closing the outlet port, said valve member being urged towards theoutlet port by gravity, said valve member comprising a magnetizablemember and a non-magnetic and corrosion resistant envelope encasing themagnetizable member, and a coil winding for magnetizing saidmagnetizable member to eftect opening of the valve.

2. A solenoid operated valve for controlling the flow of corrosiveliquids, such as hair waving solutions, and having parts exposed to theliquid which are resistant to the corrosion thereof, said valvecomprising a body of non-magnetic and corrosion-resistant materialhaving a vertically disposed cylindrical valve chamber therein providedwith inlet and outlet ports therefor, the outlet port being at thebottom of the valve chamber, a cylindrical valve member in the body foropening and closing the outlet port, inclined vanes on the valve member,projecting outwardly therefrom to space the valve member from the wallof the valve body chamber and to impart a spinning motion to the samewhen the valve is opened and liquid flows through it, said valve memberbeing urged toward the outlet port by gravity, said valve membercomprising a magnetizable member and a non-magnetic andcorrosion-resistant envelope encasing the magnetizable member, and acoil winding for magnetizing said magnetizable member to effect openingof the valve.

3. A valve for a bottle-filling machine which comprises a tubular valvehousing of non-magnetic and non-corrod ing material, having an uprightchamber therein, there being a valve seat at the lower end of thechamber, a valve member having an elongated hollow upright body ofnon-magnetic and non-corroding material in said chamber, there being avalve face at the lower end of the valve member engageable with thevalve seat, a plurality of spaced lugs on the sides of the valve memberto space the body of the valve member from the sides of the chamber, aplug of magnetizable material inside of and completely encased withinthe hollow body of the valve member, a solenoid coil surrounding thechamber, and means for energizing the solenoid coil to raise the valvemember from the valve seat to open the valve.

4. A valve for a bottle-filling machine which comprises a tubular valvehousing of non-magnetic and noncorroding material, having an uprightchamber therein, there being a valve seat at the lower end of thechamber, a valve member having an elongated hollow upright body ofnon-magnetic and non-corroding material in said chamber, there being avalve face at the lower end of the valve member engageable with thevalve seat, a plurality of spaced lugs on the sides of the valve memberto space the body of the valve member from the sides of the chamber, thelugs being elongated and inclined to the axis of the valve member tocause the valve member to turn when the valve member is raised from thevalve seat and liquid flows through the valve, the lugs being formed intwo spaced groups, one group being adjacent the upper end of the valvemember and the other group being adjacent the opposite end of the valvemember, the groups of lugs maintaining the valve member upright insidethe chamber, a plug of magnetizable material inside of and completelyencased within the hollow body of the valve member, a solenoid coilsurrounding the chamber, and means for energizing the solenoid coil toraise the valve member from the valve seat to open the valve.

5. A valve for a bottle-filling machine which comprises a tubular valvehousing of non-magnetic and noncorroding material, having an uprightchamber therein, there being a valve seat at the lower end of thechamber, a valve member having an elongated hollow upright body ofnon-magnetic and non-corroding material in said chamber, there being avalve face at the lower end of the valve member engageable with thevalve seat, a plurality of spaced lugs on the sides of the valve memberto space the body 'of the valve member from the sides of the chamber, aplug of magnetizable material inside of and completely encased withinthe hollow body of the valve member, a solenoid coil surrounding thechamber, means for energizing the solenoid coil to raise the valvemember from the valve seat to open the valve, a filling tube connectedto the lower end of the chamber and extending downwardly therefrom, themeans for energizing the solenoid comprising a switch and a switchactuator connected to the switch, the switch actuator having a portionadjacent the filling tube, means for raising a bottle to a position inwhich the filling tube projects into the bottle and the mouth of thebottle engages the actuator to actuate the switch to a valve-openposition, there being an air vent opening between the filling tube andthe neck of the bottle, and means for supplying liquid to the valvechamber from a tank in which the level of liquid is at the height of theneck of the bottle when in said position, Whereby liquid flows into thebottle until the bottle is filled to the neck and the valve closes toshut off the flow of liquid through the valve when the bottle is loweredto release the switch actuator.

6. A bottle-filling machine of syphon type which comprises a tank, meansfor maintaining a substantially constant head of liquid in said tank, asyphon tube having one end extending below the liquid in the tank, ahollow valve housing connected to the other end of said syphon tube, avalve member inside the valve housing, said valve member comprising aplug of magnetizable material, a solenoid winding around the housing, afilling tube extending from the valve body downwardly to below theliquid level, means for raising a bottle to a filling position at whichthe filling tube extends into the bottle and the neck of the bottle isat the liquid level in the tank, there being an air-venting spacebetween the filling tube and the neck of the bottle, and switch meansfor energizing the solenoid coil when the bottle is raised to saidposition to actuate the valve member to valve open position, wherebyliquid flows from the tank to the bottle until the level of liquid inthe bottle reaches the neck of the bottle and the syphon head is zero.

7. A solenoid operated valve for controlling the flow of corrosiveliquids and having parts exposed to the liquid which are resistant tothe corrosion thereof, said valve comprising a tubular valve housing ofnon-magnetic and corrosion resistant material having an upright chambertherein and a valve seat at the lower end thereof, a vertically movablevalve member in said chamber having an elongated hollow body ofnon-magnetic and corrosion resistant material, the lower end of thevalve member having a valve face engageable with the valve seat, a plugof magnetizable material within and completely encased by the hollowbody, and a solenoid coil for magnetizing the magnetizable member forraising the valve member to open the same.

8. A bottle-filling machine which comprises a tank, means formaintaining a substantially constant head of liquid in the tank, asiphon tube having one end extending into the liquid in the tank, avalve in said siphon tube, a spout attached to the other end of thesiphon tube and extending downwardly to a level below the liquid levelin the tank, means for raising a bottle to a filling position at whichposition the filling tube extends into the bottle through the neckthereof, there being an air venting space between the spout and the neckof the bottle, and means for opening the valve when the bottle is infilling position, whereby liquid flows from the tank into the bottleuntil the level of the liquid in the bottle is at the level of theliquid in the tank, the siphon head then being zero.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS283,544 Weston Aug. 21, 1883 775,307 Ortmann et a1 NOV. 22, 1904 855,801Moore June 4, 1907 1,920,925 Juchheirn et a1. Aug. 1, 1933 2,607,368Mayer Aug. 19, 1952

